SIA Parent Newsletter
October 22, 2021
Head of School Message
Dear Parents,

We are so excited for our upcoming “Falling into Shabbat” for our Early Years SIA friends, infants through four year olds, on Friday, October 29, 2021 from 9:00am-11:00am outside on the white top and surrounding grounds. We will have pumpkin painting, hay rides, a fall sensory area and much more! We will end the festival by bringing in Shabbat together!

Our Primary Years family Shabbat has been rescheduled due to inclement weather to Friday, November 5, 2021 @ 1:45pm on the white top. More information for the program will be posted in ParentSquare next week. We hope to see everyone there!

There is still time to review the information posted in ParentSquare about the Virginia School Screening Testing for Assurance program (VISSTA) and sign a consent form for your child to participate. Pooled testing is another layer of mitigation for our school community. Please reach out to Susan Schwartzman, our school nurse, if you have questions or need additional information.

Shabbat Shalom!
Below you will see some reminders for next week.

Heather Moore
Head of School
Fall Fun
Our Infant Room had a blast doing Fall Photos this week!
Our Infant Room had a blast doing Fall Photos this week!
Third Grade Inquiry on Protecting the Environment
Third grade explored biotic and abiotic factors within small scale ecosystems around the campus. Then students identified Oil Spills as a big human impact on environments. They did a lab where the scientists (students) had to become part of a containment team, using the engineering process to design and test three ways to best pick up (vegetable) oil to protect the wild life, which we made from pipe cleaners. Everyone was really excited about this lab!
Dates and Reminders
SCHOOL CALENDAR:
Click to view the 2021-2022 SIA Calendar. 
Please note: as the year progresses, we will update our calendar as it relates to events and COVID-19.

10/29 EY Falling into Shabbat Festival, 9:30am - 11:30 am

11/5 Reschedule PY Family Shabbat in the tent, 1:45pm.

11/8 -11/10 - School Picture Day

11/11 Veterans Day; No School; IB PYP Professional Development; Fullcare Closed

11/19 Beyond Early Years Parent Open House

11/24 Noon Dismissal, EY Fullcare Closed; PY Sundown Closed

11/25 - 11/26 Thanksgiving Break, No School, EY Fullcare Closed, Py Camp JCC SDO Closed

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
  • Label ALL Belongings
  • Bring a water bottle daily
  • 2 Clean Masks

FOB Forms:
Need a school key FOB? Stop by the School office for a form.

The Parent Facebook group serves as a way to connect our parents, so please don't be shy. Ask questions, give suggestions and post pics!
Modeling our Learner Profile Traits at SIA
Janet Jenkins, Primary Years Director
IB Learner Profile Spotlight-Reflective

Students who are REFLECTIVE know what they are good at and where they can grow. They try to think about these things, and they make changes where they can. They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and consider their personal strengths and weaknesses in a constructive manner.

This weeks teacher picks for reflective students: Noa Cohen, Flora Cardon, Molly Futerman, Heidi Freihofer, Adielle Uduaghan, Emmaline Genova, Andrew Dodge

How can parents help to develop students who are Reflective at home?

Spend some time reviewing your child’s report card with them. They should have the
opportunity to look at this document and consider it as well. Discuss it with them and truly consider their thoughts on their strengths and areas for improvement.
Consider the goals that your child could set for the next term. Make a list not only of the
goals, but of specific actions that can be taken to achieve these goals. You might want to list actions that your child will take independently as well as actions parents will take to support them. For example, if one of the goals your child sets for herself is to improve her writing, her action might be to keep a journal and write in it for at least 10 minutes each night. As a parent, you might decide that the two of you will participate in shared writing, for 30 minutes each week and produce a book of narratives together.
Be reflective about actions you see at home. Have a family meeting to discuss ways you can make household chores better. Talk about sibling relationships. Find ways they can better organize their rooms or play area. Have your child involved in weekly planning to help everyone be more efficient throughout their week.  
Annual Day of Giving
Dear Infants, Toddler, Early Years, and Primary Years parents,

Please mark your calendars for SIA’s Annual Day of Giving on Friday, January 7, 2022. Following last year’s parent community participation of 86%, Strelitz International Academy’s goal this year is to receive 100% participation. Annual donations from SIA parents range from $36 to over $1,000.

Please join us to raise the funds needed for our wonderful school! The cost of tuition alone is not enough to educate each child. We need your help to bridge the gap.
 
As a fellow Strelitz parent, I have seen first hand the value of an SIA education. From early years to graduation, our children’s safe, nurturing and enriching IB learning experience is unmatched. Everything is possible thanks to your financial support in the form of a tax deductible donation to our Strelitz International Academy Fund.

Participate early and make your gift here.
Participate early by securing your pledge:  Email Carly Glikman, Director of Development. Pledges are payable by June 30th, 2022.

Thank you for continuing to support our school.

Sincerely,
Carly Glikman
Director of Development
SIA Employment Opportunities
Director of Development

We are seeking a dynamic, collaborative development professional with strong interpersonal skills to serve as Director of Development. The successful candidate will guide all of the school’s fundraising efforts, working closely with lay leaders and professional colleagues, while also cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, grant funders, and volunteers. This position includes service on the school’s administrative leadership team and partnership with the director of admissions in projecting a compelling vision of the school’s vibrant present, rich history and and bright future.

Responsibilities:
  • Developing a comprehensive vision and plan for fundraising and institutional advancement.
  • Creating high touch and high level programming for major donors to increase their affinity towards the organization and build a stronger network of institutional supporters.
  • Engaging the entire community in community wide development initiatives that increase a sense of belonging toward the organization and an awareness of our community's strengths and successes.
  • Overseeing donor databases and working to remain efficient and accurate in our development efforts.
  • Fostering an organizational culture of philanthropy.
  • Effectively lead and coach event committee volunteers and stakeholders.
  • Lead and attend Development Committee Meetings.
  • Maintain detailed records of event revenues, expenses and budgets.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum of five (5) years of senior level development work at a non-profit or independent school
  • BA/BS or equivalent degree
  • Proven track record of collaboration, teamwork, and effective workplace communication
  • Knowledge and experience with development best practices
  • Experience with development databases (Blackbaud is a plus)
  • Experience planning both major events (i.e. Annual Golf Tournament) and more intimate events
  • Knowledge of the Tidewater Area Jewish community, Jewish nonprofits or independent schools is preferred
  • Proficiency with MS Office and G-Suite preferred
  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently
  • Excellent organizational skills, written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail

Library Media Specialist

Strelitz International Academy, seeks a dynamic, innovative and experienced Library Media Specialist. The right candidate will create a Library Media Center that encourages a love for reading, promotes critical thinking, and stimulates intellectual curiosity. The Library Media Specialist must be able to develop and implement lessons based on the school library and technology curriculum and collaborate with teachers to provide integrated lessons that support research and literacy skills. Familiarity with technology resources is required.  

The Library Media Specialist is also responsible for maintaining the library budget, ordering books and educational software/online memberships, bringing exciting and relevant programs and author visits to our school, and organizing and running the annual Scholastic Book Fair.

An advanced degree in Library and Information Science is preferred with at least three years of teaching experience. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume and educational philosophy to Janet Jenkins, Director of Primary Years. Competitive compensation based on experience and benefits will be offered.  
JFS Annual Chanukah Gift Program
Jewish Family Services’ Annual Chanukah Gift Program is in its 29th year and we need your help to continue our wonderful community tradition of tzedakah for local Jewish families in need. 

Chanukah this year starts very early on the evening of November 28th. Similar to last year, JFS will not be asking donors to go out shopping for gifts due to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic. JFS is asking for your contributions to be either gift cards and/or monetary donations. The families in need can then order their gifts online for delivery directly to their homes. Your support will help provide gift cards to over 60 local Jewish children and teens whose families do not have the financial means to celebrate this festive time of year. Gift cards are typically used to purchase needed items (clothing, personal care supplies, school supplies) and “wished for” items (toys, books, games).

Thank you for your support,
Debbie Mayer, LCSW
SIA School Counselor
Additional Ways to Support SIA

Harris Teeter will automatically give a percentage to SIA everytime you show and use your VIC Card!
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Strelitz International Academy whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.  

Strelitz International Academy to receive your AmazonSmile donation dollars.
Spread the SIA Love
Dear SIA parents,
As we get ready to kick off admissions seasons, please consider leaving a review for SIA on Google and Niche to help parents find us. Happy parents are the best form of marketing!
Thank you so much,
Carin Simon
In the Community
Next Sunday Fun Day
SUNDAY, November 14
2:00 pm
Do you have plans this weekend?

Come to the Simon Family JCC for Sunday Fun Day THIS Sunday! 
We have many fun fall-themed activities that include pine-cone art, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, and more.

Also, as part of the PJ Our Way Tzedakah Tour, PJ Our Way kids will be running an apple cider stand, where ALL proceeds go to a charity of their choice. If you would like to purchase apple cider to support their cause, please bring cash. 

One cup of cider is $2 or can purchase three cups for $5. All children ages 8-12 are welcome to help run the stand! 

Sunday Fun Days are FREE and open to all JCC members, local synagogue members, PJ Library families, Camp JCC families, YAD families, and Strelitz International Academy families. It will be a great way to spend a fall afternoon. I hope to see you there!

Kindly, 
Nofar Trem
PJ Library Program Coordinator
United Jewish Federation of Tidewater